The Voice - Match preview Bradford City vs Carlisle United Sunday 14th May 2023 @ 7:00pm

Could be, although I'd suggest it's more likely down to diet and a drop off in training intensity.

 

You could be onto something there Monkey, given how much his weight seems to fluctuate every few weeks or so, according to some.

 

Cook's never been thin, he's just been fit.

Different things.

 

There's no doubt that Cook did pile on the pounds last season. When he had that goal drought after Christmas (which eventually led to him being dropped for Angol) he was visibly at least a stone overweight. But I didn't notice him looking podgy last Sunday and looking at the picture in Post #588 above there no evidence of it there.
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It’s just conspiracy theorists, as @NorthernMonkey said earlier. He hasn’t scored for 7 days, he must be eating burgers again?

 

That's fair enough. He definitely looked 'bigger' on TV on Saturday than I've seen him. He's been in good nick all season and I haven't mentioned or noticed his weight before.

 

He'll go 4/5/1 if we get there. I'd definitely play East for his energy as well.

 

It's the width of Wembley that worries me. We play with so little width that we could really get pushed down the wings and the full backs well and truly exposed.

 

IF we get to Wembley, I worry about our lack of pace ALL OVER. We could get ripped to shreds on the big pitch. Blimey, even Crewe tore us apart when they ran at us.

 

Or would we keep the ball for fun on a big pitch? 60% possession might be enough to get us over the line.

 

Let’s chat about Wembley IF and WHEN we get there. A full week to worry and develop plans on how to beat whoever.

 

The lack of pace in the team and between Smallwood and Clayton in particular is an issue. Playing them both in CM leaves us pretty exposed for pace if the opposition have a half mobile midfield such as Orient or Crewe did. They just run through us. Something that needs to be addressed in the summer regardless of what happens in the playoffs.